Czech Elections Result in Stalemate

The voting is over and the results are in for the fourth elections to the Chamber of Deputies since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993. There was a higher voter turnout this year (64.5%) than four years ago (59%). The center-right ODS (Civic Democrats) won the elections with 35.38% of the vote and center-left ČSSD (Social Democrats) came in second with 32.32%. This is after eight years of ČSSD in power.

When converting the percentages into the number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, it looks unlikely that a majority government will be formed. The Civic Democrats/Christian Democrats/Green Party coalition would only get 100 seats, which is the same number the Social Democrats/Communist Party coalition would have. ODS will begin negotiations and has not ruled out a grand coalition with ČSSD.